Pet-friendly campgrounds near Arrington, Virginia range from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV locations with various accommodations for dogs. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 700-1,200 feet, the area experiences variable weather with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Many campgrounds maintain quiet hours from 10pm-7am, which applies to both people and pets.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: James River State Park offers multiple fishing access points where anglers can catch bass, catfish, and other species. "James River State Park is beautiful! The Canoe Landing camping area is spacious with fire rings, and lots of room to set up tents right along the river... There are tons of trails to explore in this park, and the views in this campground can't be beat!" according to Brittany B. at Canoe Landing Group Campsite.
Star gazing: The area is known for exceptional night skies with minimal light pollution. At Red Oak Campground, Bridget H. notes, "The park is part of the Dark Sky Parks Association and if you are into astronomy and stars this is the place to stay. They have miles of trails, a playground, marshland, and it is right on the James River with multiple river access points."
Water activities: Many campgrounds provide river or lake access with rental options. At Montebello Resort, a camper shared: "The other lake on the property is a nice place to walk, the campsite provides kayaks and paddle boats as well, at no charge." Crabtree Falls Campground is located near swimming spots, with Sarah M. reporting, "We only stopped here for an afternoon, but it was a very cool park with a mile jogging trail, some small rock climbing areas, and access to swim in the James River."
Hiking trails: The region connects to numerous trail systems of varying difficulty. According to Steve V., "Devil's Backbone Camp is just miles from the Appalachian Trail... The property also included two hiking trails (one 3km and another 5km)." Local trails range from easy lakeside paths to challenging mountain ascents.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spots than others. At Devils Backbone Camp, Erika S. explains: "The campground is small and well-kept. It has an incredibly chill and laid-back vibe... Each full hook up site has a picnic table and fire ring. Fire wood available for purchase."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "This campground has some of the nicest facilities of any campground I've stayed at. We camped in a trailer on a site without hookups. At this time of the year, it wasn't very busy. They provide firewood on the honor system," reports Vy N. about Devils Backbone Camp.
On-site food options: Several campgrounds are located near or connected to dining establishments. Jennifer E. noted, "Love that you can just walk to the brewery from your site... The scenery was beautiful and our overall experience was great." This convenience allows campers to enjoy meals without leaving the property.
Proximity to water: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites. At Walnut Grove, Kaylee G. observed, "Night sky was amazing. You could see stars for miles. Enjoyed a nice sunset by the river." Sites near water features tend to book quickly during peak season.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between locations. At Red Oak Campground, Micah B. advises, "Verizon service is spotty 1 to 2 bars and unreliable data but with a directional cell booster we are able to get enough signal for our Verizon Jetpack to work." Some campgrounds have no service at all.
Seasonal considerations: Weather can impact camping experiences throughout the year. At Sherando Lake Campground, a camper mentioned, "We had another great trip to Sherando Lake! This is our 4th year camping here and we always look forward to the trip. This year the weather was cooler than it usually is, so we got to enjoy some of the other aspects of the park since it was too cold to swim."
Two-night minimums: Some campgrounds require longer stays, especially on weekends. At Devils Backbone Camp, a reviewer noted: "Just went to book a site since I'm in the area, and it's a two-night minimum to tent camp. This seems crazy for a Sunday night and the campground is not at all packed."
Booking windows: Popular dog-friendly campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. The walkup sites at Sherando Lake fill early on summer weekends, often by Thursday afternoon. For campgrounds with reservations, booking windows typically open 6 months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Water-based activities: Lakes and rivers provide natural entertainment for kids. At Crabtree Falls Campground, a camper shared, "Camping along the river is great in the slower seasons. The sites are pretty close together so I'm sure it would be much more cramped when it's busy but it's a beautiful place. And you can fish right off the bank less than 50yards from your tent."
Dedicated play areas: Some campgrounds offer playgrounds and activity spaces. Chris E. at Walnut Grove noted, "The kids are guaranteed to catch something in the fishing hole & the camp store has EVERYTHING!! My 4 yr old spent hours playing with all the little animals the ranger station had."
Educational opportunities: Park ranger programs provide learning experiences. At Red Oak Campground, Jamie B. reported: "We rented a cabin with fantastic sunset views. This park has great walking and equine trails, a fantastic visitor center, and a wonderful outdoor park/adventure zone for the kiddos."
Site selection: Choose sites away from water for safety with very young children. At Walnut Grove, Sharon B. advised, "We hoped to go tubing, but since the river was running high and fast, they weren't renting tubes, and we asked too late about renting a canoe or kayak. (They do drop offs and pick ups at certain times and reservations are recommended.)"
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup placements. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, Mike G. noted: "RV section is typical style in a large field. Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field... Electric sites have 20a, 30a, and 50a hookups so small trailers can use a normal extension cord."
Hookup locations: Check site diagrams before booking. At Devils Backbone Camp, Robert M. reported: "Some of the pads (#9 in our case) had a septic cap that was too high... Also, the power station was on the opposite side of the septic, so make sure you have a 30ft power cord at least!"
Mountain road considerations: Some access roads have steep grades or tight turns. At Montebello Resort, Quinn G. advised: "Be aware; there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive. Also FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE CAMPGROUND WEBSITE. VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway."
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevations can mean rapid temperature changes. Jodi L. from Devils Backbone Camp shared her winter experience: "First time camping here in RV. Run/hiked the AT to Hanging Rock. Bath house was warm and clean! Quiet but quite a few other friendly after Christmas rv campers."
